SWALEC Division One round-up

TATA Steel won the battle against UWIC as the top two in SWALEC League One West did battle at Grues Field.

Rhydian Morris had put visitors on the board with an early penalty but TATA went into the break 10-3 to the good courtesy of a try from Andy Llewellyn. Wing Jordan Shidmore and Llewellyn added further tries in the second period, with Dickie Bird kicking the rest of TATA's points as they ran out 23-10 winners. In a further blow to UWIC the match was forced to an early conclusion when a UWIC player suffered a serious neck injury.

The Students' defeat meant that Llangennech had the chance to move closer to the top two, a chance they accepted with a narrow 11-6 win over Ammanford. In heavy rain, it was actually visitors Ammanford who started the game best and Carwyn Richards' two penalties gave them a 6-0 lead at the half-way stage. The hosts were revived in the second period though and prop Justin Hughes scored the vital try as his side fought back superbly in a dominant second half display. Fly-half Rickie Williams kicked the rest of the points.

Narbeth and Whitland fought out a tight game at the Lewis-Lloyd Ground, with the visitors edging it 9-6. Whitland led 9-0 at the break, full-back Scott Newton kicking three penalties and although Narbeth fought back it was not enough.

Elsewhere, Carmarthen Athletic hit Bonymaen with a four-try salvo in a 25-3 win. Wingers Luke Marshall and Pan Rashesha crossed in what were awful conditions as they pulled away in the second half. Forwards Richard Smart and Henry Boot also went over for second half tries to add some gloss to the score line.

Tondu and Llanharan stayed towards the bottom of the table but the latter took home the spoils after a 24-17 win at the Old Fire Station. Justin Benfield and wing Josh Austin crossed for Llanharan but fly-half Chris Williams' kicking proved to be the difference as he added four penalties and a conversion. Tondu actually outscored the visitors by three tries to two but could not prevent themselves from slipping to defeat.

Newbridge triumphed in the battle at the top of SWALEC Division One East after a scrappy 10-3 win over Bargoed at the Welfare Ground.

The hosts were awarded a penalty try seven minutes from time - following persistent infringements at the scrum - which secured the win and allowed Newbridge to regain first place in the table while Bargoed dropped to third.

Ebbw Vale moved into second place after their sixth bonus point victory of the season. Centre Dan Dearden grabbed a brace as the Steelmen registered a comfortable 27-10 victory over Merthyr at the Wern.

Gilfach Goch's 14-13 win at Tredegar condemned the hosts to their ninth loss in nine games, although they did pick up their second bonus point of the season. In a tense game in appalling conditions, Gilfach were grateful for three penalties from the boot of full back Ian Davies, along with a try for hooker Josh Clarke.

The wet weather also played a significant role at Blackwood, where Beddau came away with a 14-5 win. The teams scored a try apiece but outside half Mitchell Jenkins slotted nine points for the Green and Golds, who made it three wins on the bounce.

An intriguing encounter at the Oval ended in a 24-10 win for hosts Treorchy over the struggling Glamorgan Wanderers, but the scoreline flattered the Zebras, the league's lowest try-scorers. Treorchy were held 10-10 until the 70th minute, before two good late tries for centre Trystan Lazarus and hooker Shaun Green consigned the Wanderers to the defeat.

Meanwhile three first-half tries set up a relatively straightforward 28-17 win for Rumney over visitors Mountain Ash at Riverside Park. Rumney went on to score a bonus point try in the second period, although two late tries for the Old Firm kept the score respectable.

With applications now open for the next intake of WRU apprentices, a number of current trainees offer a glimpse of what their apprenticeship has done for them, including Kira Philpott who declares it has changed her life!

In an exciting development for Women's Regional Rugby, Rygbi Gogledd Cymru will join Cardiff Blues, Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys for the upcoming season. WRU TV headed to Colwyn Bay to speak to one of its new recruits, Wales Women international Rachel Taylor.

Ysgol y Berwyn School club hub officer Euros Jones uses a unique Welsh-centric programme to encourage youngsters to the game with Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and George North just some of the heroes that the likes of eight-year-old Moli aspire to be.

As part of her role as a Lions Home Ambassador, WRU apprentice Kira Philpott, supported by her fellow apprentices, organised a Disability Rugby Lions Legacy festival at the WRU National Centre of Excellence.

Head coach Bernard Jackman and chief executive Stuart Davies, along with WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips, discuss the vision for the future of the Dragons where the aim is for the region to become a Welsh-centric production line of talent.

Wales head coach Jason Strange and Connor Edwards, on his debut, reflect on a tight match which saw a 25-24 victory secured at the death in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Tibilisi, Georgia. The win saw Wales secure seventh place in the tournament.

It started from their own try-line, and 100 metres later it ended with Ryan Conbeer diving over in the corner. He and instigator Owen Lane look back on the try that had everyone talking after Wales withstood the challenge of Italy in the World Rugby U20 Championship

Second row Sean Moore began the season playing for Division One club Mountain Ash and ended it playing for Wales in the World Rugby U20 Championship. He tells us about his whirlwind rise to international rugby which will give hope to all club players who have missed out on regional rugby.

Captain Will Jones says this afternoon's clash in Tibilisi against Italy in the World Rugby U20 Championship is an ideal chance for Wales to redeem themselves after their disappointing defeat to Scotland earlier this week.

Ever wondered what it takes to feed a World Cup squad away from home? Nutritionist Chris Edwards talks us through the Wales U20 utrition plan in Tbilisi, Georgia which has kept the lads going throughout the World Rugby U20 Championship campaign.

Assistant coach Geraint Lewis admits Wales have found the World Rugby U20 Championship 'quite difficult' but he is confident they can finish the tournament, and season, off on a winning note against Italy in Tibilisi tomorrow.

Joe Goodchild and Phil Jones were part of a Wales U20s group who visited Georgia's Paralympic centre. After playing various sports against Georgia's best paralympians, both admitted the visit has opened their eyes and put their defeat to Scotland in perspective.

There was a special reunion recently for Wales head coach Robin McBryde when he visited Parc Eirias to play Mark Jones' RGC side. He was re-united with Denley Isaac - the man who spotted him as a raw 19-year-old and put him on the path to international rugby.